Editing Marcian (section)

===Politics===
[[File:Piatto di ardaburio, argento fuso, 434 d.c. (found in 1769) 03.JPG|thumb|A detail of the ''Missorium of Aspar'', depicting [[Aspar]] and his elder son [[Ardabur (consul 447)|Ardabur]] (c. 434).]]
When Marcian became emperor, he was influenced by [[Flavius Zeno]], [[Pulcheria]], and [[Aspar]]. Flavius Zeno died soon after Marcian ascended the throne, possibly as early as the end of 451,{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=97}} and Pulcheria died in July 453, leaving Aspar as the only major influence in the court of the Eastern Roman Empire. This influence was enhanced by the promotion of his son Ardabur to {{lang|la|magister militum per Orientem}}.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=98}} It is unknown if Aspar and Ardabur influenced Marcian{{'}}s policies directly, but if so, they were extremely careful to avoid upsetting the ruling elites of Constantinople. Despite Aspar's great influence, the Eastern Roman elites retained much of their anti-barbarian sentiment.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}} Marcian's principal advisors were Pulcheria, [[Euphemius (Magister officiorum)|Euphemius]] the {{lang|la|[[magister officiorum]]}} (master of offices), [[Palladius (praetor)|Palladius]] the praetor, and [[Anatolius of Constantinople]].{{sfn|Grant|1985|p=305}} In 453, Marcian had his daughter from a previous marriage, [[Marcia Euphemia]], marry [[Anthemius]], an aristocrat and talented general.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Dzino|Parry|2017|p=258}}

Marcian patronized the Blues, who were one of the [[Chariot racing#Byzantine racing factions|two circus teams]], the other being the Greens. The two teams had become more like political parties than sports teams by his time, wielding large influence in the empire; both vied for power. After the Greens responded angrily to his patronage, Marcian censured them, forbidding any of them to hold any public office for three years. Marcian's patronage of the Blues may have had personal motivations, as the once powerful Chrysaphius had been favorable to the Greens.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Christophilopoulou|1986|p=286}}{{sfn|Bury|1889|p=85}}